Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1887-02-10
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Grand Master Wheeler at the
Opera House.

There was large audience present
at the Opera House Monday evening
to hear Grand Master John L. Wheeler
lecture on the Order of Odd Fellows.
The speaker was accompanied by a
stereoptican, who threw many delight
full pictures upon the canvas, illustra
tive of Odd Fellowship.
The Grand Master began his address
by referring his hearers to the fact that
Odd Fellowship first had its birth in
England. Taking steamer then" said
he, "we will visit that famous land" No
sooner was this remark uttered than a
magnificent ocean steamer appeared
ploughing its way across the ocean
Arriving in Britain, the audience was
treated to glimpses of prominent
places in London, in which city the
first Odd Fellows Lodge was started.
Among other pictures, one OF an old
time English inn was shown, for it was
in just such an establishment that the
Order first saw the light. Away back
in the latter part of the 18th century,
in hotel in London, the first Lodge
| originated, under the title of the
''Ancient, Honorable and Loyal Odd
Fellows 1t was convivial club,
place where the members met to enjoy
| pot of ale or beer, and have a good
time. The Lodge grew and expanded.
! 1t took a new name, the Union Order
of Odd Fellows and finally merged
into what is now known as the 'Man-
chester Unity"
April Goth, 1919, Thomas Wildey and
| four brothers, who had been members
of the Order in England, organized
washington Lodge, No. ~ at the
''Seven Stars" hotel, in the city of Bal
timore. The Lodge grew slowly in
numbers. For long time it had hard
work to secure quarters. Leaving the
':Seven Stars" it moved into the Sec
ond story of a tavern known as the
''Three Loggerheads. 1t still kept up
it's convivial character, but a few years
afterward it moved into Wildey's
house, and took upon itself a new
departure. Pictures of the Seven
Stars and ''Three Loggerheads" were
given, and also a diagram of the
Lodge room at the latter place, which
showed the position of the officers, the
beer tables, and the benches on which
the members sat. At this time there
was great prejudice against the Odd
| Fellows, and they were stunned on
all sides. But finally the Order took
a start, and its progress from 1924
to the present date has been Won
derful, until. to-day American Odd Eel
lowship alone has 100000 members,
and has paid out for benevolent pur-
poses since 1880 over $43, 100000. SIT
is" said the speaker, "the greatest
benevolent organization in the world. .
AS years went by the Order became
a society devoted to moral, intellec-
tual and benevolentpurposes. 1t took
the Bible for it's foundation, and based
its work upon that book. The several
degrees were referred to, and beauti
fully illustrated. notably that of the
Covenant Degree, when scenes were
given in the life of David at the Court
of Saul, and the friendship of Jonathan
and David. Representations of the
Bundle of Sticks, the Hour Glass, the
Bow and Arrows, the Heart and Hand
the Sknll and Cross Bones, the Coffin
the Tent, the Three Pillars, and Other
symbols of the Order, were also given
The Encampment branch and the de
gree of Rebekah were also beautifully
illustrated.
The funny part of the entertainment
was that which referred to the ''initia
tion, and the newly made Odd Fellow
riding the goat" This, and Other
comic pictures, particularly the ''BlacE
Squall," brought down the house.
Brother Wheeler is an able AMI elo
quent speaker, thoroughly familiar
with the subject of Odd Fellowship
and his lecture was great success. II
will undoubtedly add much to the
already great popularity of the Order
in Cumberland county. Those who
were not present last night missed a
rare treat